 | A Wreath of Wild Flowers From New England |  |
331
A MOTHER'S WISH.
“What shall I bring to thee, mother mine?
What shall I bring to thee?
Shall I bring thee jewels, that burn and shine
In the depths of the darkling sea?
What shall I bring to thee?
Shall I bring thee jewels, that burn and shine
In the depths of the darkling sea?
“Shall I bring the garland a hero wears,
By a wondering world entwined,
Whose leaves can cover a thousand cares,
And smile o'er a clouded mind?
By a wondering world entwined,
Whose leaves can cover a thousand cares,
And smile o'er a clouded mind?
“Shall I bring the deep and sacred stores
Of knowledge the high and free,
That thrills the heart on the hallowed shores
Of classic Italy?”
Of knowledge the high and free,
That thrills the heart on the hallowed shores
Of classic Italy?”
“What are jewels, my boy, to me?
Thou art the gem I prize!
And the richest spot in that fearful sea
Will be where thy vessel flies!
Thou art the gem I prize!
And the richest spot in that fearful sea
Will be where thy vessel flies!
332
“The wreath the hero loves is won
By the life-blood of the brave!
And his brow must lose, ere it wear the crown,
The smile that Mercy gave!
By the life-blood of the brave!
And his brow must lose, ere it wear the crown,
The smile that Mercy gave!
“Dearly earned is the volume's wealth
That opes to the lamp of night,
While the purer ray of Hope and Health
Goes out by the sickly light!
That opes to the lamp of night,
While the purer ray of Hope and Health
Goes out by the sickly light!
“Bring me that innocent brow, my child,
Bring me that eloquent eye,
Bring me the tenderness, true and mild,
That breathes in thy last good bye!”
Bring me that eloquent eye,
Bring me the tenderness, true and mild,
That breathes in thy last good bye!”
| A Wreath of Wild Flowers From New England | |